Comments on: Concept motorcycles from Tokyo Motorcycle Show 2007http://www.helmethairblog.com/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007
All about motorcycles and motorcycle riding. Out of the ordinary bike reviews, videos, photos, and great stories.Sat, 21 Mar 2015 04:21:42 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3By: Torquemadahttp://www.helmethairblog.com/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/comment-page-2#comment-97508
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:47:08 +0000http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/#comment-97508Top response Hal, and I have shown my ignorance to the humble history of Honda. Indeed, I am sure most companies start out from a similar vein. I apologise for not acknowledging that in my piece.

I think I am right in saying this whole debate is similar to the Mac/Microsoft one (which i’m not going to mention much more about for fear of sparking an unnecessary computer debate on a motorcycle blog!) It comes down to personal preference and that word again, ‘choice.’

I wholeheartedly agree with you that The Big Four churn out fabulous bikes, that’s undeniable. But it is the rate and quantity with which they leave the factory and hit the streets that is the issue. I think Harley riders enjoy what they see as ‘exclusivity.’ And from this blog, it seems they are seen by non-Harley riders as pretentious and as you put it, ‘Moto-Snobs’

As the saying goes, ‘There’s no accounting for taste.’
In other words, one mans treasure is another mans trash.

I do like the fact that Harley are attempting to move with the times, technology wise, with the V-rod. Yes, to the anyone who rides a Hondamasuzusaki, the V-rod is a bauble. But to the people who buy it, it is a sign of exclusivity, brand loyalty and ownership of a piece of Harley history. If it leaks, then they are one step closer to that esteemed history.

I think the only other manufacturer of recent who has captured a moment in time through design, was Ducati, with their original 916. It remained visually unchanged for years, making it a symbol of the company and a recognised emblem of exclusivity. Maybe this was tactical, to ensure they created a modern classic, maybe they left it too long and were afraid the next design couldn’t top the original or maybe they didn’t have the budget to design anything else as all Ducati’s money was being ploughed into making the internals of the bike as cool, reliable and as sexy as the external. Maybe, just maybe Harley found a design in it’s early days that captured the desires of riders, hell, if they’re still selling today then I suppose they did. And to top it off, all the Big Four have tried to imitate Harley with their own bikes. Yes, they were ultra reliable, had the same looks as a Harley, but according to everyone who tested them, they lacked the ‘character’ of the real thing. That’s why Harley riders ride Harleys, everything else is an imitation.

Jeez, I’ve done a lot of writing here on a subject I really don’t care that much about. As i’ve said previously, i’m not a Harley rider, never will be either, but this piece makes me sound like I am a shareholder in the company.

I think I first wrote on this blog in response to the aggression and swearing I was reading in past comments from both sides of the fence. Here in Scotland, or the UK to be precise, bikers used to greet each other with a passing wave, an acknowledgement that despite who they were beneath the leathers, they both were part of something special and exclusive, the badge on the tank was largely immaterial, as long as there was two wheels below them!

I just felt that there was more to riding a motorcycle than criticising others over their choice. Your response Hal, shows me there is some sense out there and no reason to waste time trashing others via the web. It was good talking to you, but i’m going to sign off for good now. I’ve said more or less everything i’ve wanted to say, so cheers, take it easy, all of you!

P.S. I kinda like some of the Victory bikes.

P.P.S Oh yeah, I don’t even ride a bike………

]]>By: Halhttp://www.helmethairblog.com/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/comment-page-2#comment-97191
Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:35:45 +0000http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/#comment-97191Yes Torquey good philosophy—although not totally true about the ‘faceless’ Japanese bikes. In fact we can learn alot from them, I am sure we all know or should know that Soichiro Honda was mesmerized by the aroma of hot oil that an early automobile leaked on the road, he was a true motorhead who started his own company. I can only imagine some modern day Harley riders with their noses to the ground under their bikes; well it would have had to been in the old days before the HD factory finally figured out(due to Japanese bikes)that it wasn’t acceptable to leak. My take on motorized equipment is I want a machine from someone SMARTER than me(white lab coats sound good actually), not some guys pumping out the same product for their whole life span just because some moto snobs think they need it. Just buy a Victory and get it over with for cryin’ out:)
]]>By: Torquemadahttp://www.helmethairblog.com/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/comment-page-1#comment-96232
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:17:05 +0000http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/#comment-96232Oh yeah, enjoy your choice. Enjoy the places it takes you. Enjoy the looks it will earn you and most of all enjoy living.

You all wake up in the morning to find yourselves breathing, your heart’s beating, your lungs are expanding and contracting. That is life. Don’t be fooled into thinking that that is living.

If you want to live, you can do worse things than get out and ride a motorcycle. Then you’ll be on your way to living……

]]>By: Torquemadahttp://www.helmethairblog.com/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/comment-page-1#comment-96231
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:02:27 +0000http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/#comment-96231We need to be thankful that we live in a place and time that allows us the freedom to choose.

Choice is where it’s at.

I see the current trends amongst the youth of today for all that is retro. And I see and understand the appeal for Americans of owning a Harley. Harley’s the original American motorcycle. It may be seen by the prepubescent among you, to be slow, unwieldly and expensive, but to the owners and the potential buyers, it is a mark of patriotism, a symbol of style, a modern day icon that is steeped in history. And that history is exactly what is going to keep Harley alive for many years.

Now, the motorcycles of the East brim with the latest technology, they reach mach 3 in 0.7 of a second and they run forever. But what you will find beneath the bright paint schemes is an engine that has been tinkered with by lots of people in white coats, the faceless product of millions of design and test hours. It is an ever evolving lump that doesn’t spend any length of time on the street to build up a loyal following before the next model comes along with slightly sharper lines.

I am not a harley owner, never will be either. That is purely my choice. So do not think I am against Jap bikes in any way whatsoever, I have in fact, lusted after many of them in my time. I am just aware that early companies such as Harley and Triumph found designs that captured a moment in time. It is the public that dictate whether the designs should change. As long as you all have that freedom of choice (and a thick wallet) then I think the market can cope with you all.

I have generalised about the reasons for Harley ownership in this piece and I apologise for any offence I might have caused, I’m sure there is a multitude of reasons behind each and everyone’s choice of motorcycle, I can appreciate that.

Can everyone else here appreciate that, or at least understand it?

I end by saying, that everything we choose to have in our lives, serves to tell others of who we are. We say as much about ourselves with action as we do with words. Let people know who you are by getting out there and being seen on your ride, not by your having your opinion plastered all over the internet in an online arguement.

‘Judge not, lest you be judged’

T.

]]>By: onedeadheadhttp://www.helmethairblog.com/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/comment-page-1#comment-87273
Thu, 08 May 2008 04:31:10 +0000http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/concept-motorcycles-from-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2007/#comment-87273What’s with the hybrid crap? To blazes with the Japaneese scooters a lot of cheap copies of good USA IRON LOL MR Takemoto san take ur rice burners and go back from where ever it is you crawled out.
]]>